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Transuranium elements leaching from simulated HLW glasses in synthetic interstitial claywater

Abstract

The main objective of this Master Thesis is to measure the steady-state concentrations of Pu, Np, and Am upon the leaching of High-Level Waste Glass in two types of synthetic claywater: humic acid free and humic acid containing synthetic claywater. The synthetic claywater has a composition that is representative for the in-situ interstitial groundwater of the Boom clay formation, a potential geological repository of radioactive waste in Belgium. The steady-state concentrations of transuranium elements were measured by leaching experiments with a typical duration of 400 days. Five main conclusions are drawn from the experimental data. (1) The transuranium elements that are released from simulated High Level Waste Glass are dominantly present in the synthetic claywater solutions as colloids. These colloids are smaller than 2 nm in absence of humic acids. In the presence of humic acids however, the colloids interact with actinides (adsorb or coagulate) and form particles larger than 2 nm. Np and Am are associated with inorganic and organic colloids in the synthetic interstitial claywater solution whereas Pu forms only inorganic colloids. (2) The steady-state concentration of Pu is in good agreement with the solubility of the Pu compound PuO{sub 2}.xH{sub 2}O. It is therefore concluded that PuO{sub  More>>
Authors:
Publication Date:
Aug 01, 1992
Product Type:
Thesis/Dissertation
Report Number:
INIS-mf-13759
Reference Number:
SCA: 540230; 052002; PA: AIX-25:005708; EDB-94:015102; ERA-19:007447; NTS-94:018182; SN: 94001126151
Resource Relation:
Other Information: TH: Thesis (Masters Degree).; PBD: Aug 1992
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; GLASS; CORROSION; RADIOACTIVE WASTES; UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL; TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS; LEACHING; GROUND WATER; 540230; 052002; RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT; WASTE DISPOSAL AND STORAGE
OSTI ID:
10113226
Research Organizations:
Louvain Univ. (Belgium)
Country of Origin:
Belgium
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Other: ON: DE94610461; TRN: BE9300001005708
Availability:
OSTI; NTIS (US Sales Only); INIS
Submitting Site:
INIS
Size:
96 p.
Announcement Date:
Jun 30, 2005

Citation Formats

Wang, L. Transuranium elements leaching from simulated HLW glasses in synthetic interstitial claywater. Belgium: N. p., 1992. Web.
Wang, L. Transuranium elements leaching from simulated HLW glasses in synthetic interstitial claywater. Belgium.
Wang, L. 1992. "Transuranium elements leaching from simulated HLW glasses in synthetic interstitial claywater." Belgium.
@misc{etde_10113226,
title = {Transuranium elements leaching from simulated HLW glasses in synthetic interstitial claywater}
author = {Wang, L}
abstractNote = {The main objective of this Master Thesis is to measure the steady-state concentrations of Pu, Np, and Am upon the leaching of High-Level Waste Glass in two types of synthetic claywater: humic acid free and humic acid containing synthetic claywater. The synthetic claywater has a composition that is representative for the in-situ interstitial groundwater of the Boom clay formation, a potential geological repository of radioactive waste in Belgium. The steady-state concentrations of transuranium elements were measured by leaching experiments with a typical duration of 400 days. Five main conclusions are drawn from the experimental data. (1) The transuranium elements that are released from simulated High Level Waste Glass are dominantly present in the synthetic claywater solutions as colloids. These colloids are smaller than 2 nm in absence of humic acids. In the presence of humic acids however, the colloids interact with actinides (adsorb or coagulate) and form particles larger than 2 nm. Np and Am are associated with inorganic and organic colloids in the synthetic interstitial claywater solution whereas Pu forms only inorganic colloids. (2) The steady-state concentration of Pu is in good agreement with the solubility of the Pu compound PuO{sub 2}.xH{sub 2}O. It is therefore concluded that PuO{sub 2}.xH{sub 2}O is the solubility controlling phase. (3) The Pu(IV)-species are dominant in the leaching solutions. Carbonate and humic acid complexes are negligible. (4) The steady-state concentrations of Np and Am in leaching solutions were much lower than the values calculated on the basis of known thermodynamic data. This indicates that the solubility controlling phases for Np and Am were not correctly identified or that the measured Np and Am concentrations were not steady-state values. (5) Non-active glass leaching tests have indicated that no organic colloids were formed as a result of glass dissolution. (A.S.).}
place = {Belgium}
year = {1992}
month = {Aug}
}